Resveratrol-Based MTDLs to Stimulate Defensive and Regenerative Pathways and Block Early Events in Neurodegenerative Cascades

J Med Chem. 2022 Mar 24;65(6):4727-4751. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01883. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Abstract

By replacing a phenolic ring of (E)-resveratrol with an 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one heterocycle, new resveratrol-based multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) were obtained. They were evaluated in several assays related to oxidative stress and inflammation (monoamine oxidases, nuclear erythroid 2-related factor, quinone reductase-2, and oxygen radical trapping) and then in experiments of increasing complexity (neurogenic properties and neuroprotection vs okadaic acid). 5-[(E)-2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one (4e) showed a well-balanced MTDL profile: cellular activation of the NRF2-ARE pathway (CD = 9.83 μM), selective inhibition of both hMAO-B and QR2 (IC50s = 8.05 and 0.57 μM), and the best ability to promote hippocampal neurogenesis. It showed a good drug-like profile (positive in vitro central nervous system permeability, good physiological solubility, no glutathione conjugation, and lack of PAINS or Lipinski alerts) and exerted neuroprotective and antioxidant actions in both acute and chronic Alzheimer models using hippocampal tissues. Thus, 4e is an interesting MTDL that could stimulate defensive and regenerative pathways and block early events in neurodegenerative cascades.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Ligands
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Monoamine Oxidase* / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Resveratrol / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Ligands
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Resveratrol